Release device for safety roof exits



NOV. 20, 1945. R KERR 2,389,315

RELEASE DEVICE FOR SAFETY ROOF EXITS Filed Jan. 1, 1945 Patented Nov.20, 1945 UNITE D STATE S FA? EN? O FtllC-E RELEASE DEVICE FOR SAFETYROOF EXITS Robert Kerr, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 1, 1945, Serial N o. 570,971

2 Claims.

.My invention appertains to automatically released escape hatches forvehicles in which passengers are carried, such as an omnibus or arailway car.

The importance of providing an emergency exit whereby occupants of thevehicle may quickly escape should lan accident occur in which, forinstance,`the vehicle topples and catches on fire is well recognized. Inproviding a roof exit for this purpose it is of the utmost consequencethat the release mechanism lbe of a serviceable and reliableconstruction so that it will be adapted to function instantly whenaction on its part is demanded.

Hence it is the object of my invention to produce a release mechanism ofthis nature that will fully meet the requirements. The mechanismutilizes a weighted lever disposed to be thrown to an actuating positionshould the vehicle be caused in any manner to fall to one side or theother. The invention comprehends the novel construction and arrangementof a flexible cable connection between latching members and an eccentricelement for exerting a pull on the cable connection when actuated by theweighted lever. An important feature of construction is that the cableconnection embodies means for equalizing the pull so that the latchingmembers will be uniformly operated in their release movement.

The selected embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fractional elevation of a vehicle equipped with a roof exitin which the invention is incorporated.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of the inner side of the roof showing themechanism of the escape hatch.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail of the equalizing means for the cable connection.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of thegures throughout the drawing of the invention.

The hatch is formed in approved manner as by a suitably located aperturein the roof 'I and may be of the rectangular shape depicted in thedrawing. The cover 8 iits over the cur-b 9 and preferably has a marginalflange curved Ldownwardly to produce a stream-lined effect.

A pair of latches ID are employed to normally secure the cover, one ofwhich is located at each side of the longitudinal centre of the roof.Each latch comprises a bolt I I suitably mounted on the inner side ofthe cover and spring projected into engagement with a keeper I2 as by acompression spring I3 of the coil type.

The bolts are connected to a pair of ilexible cables III which areslightly spaced apart and drawn taut in the projected position of thebelts. A lever I5 is pivoted at IB medially of the latches and has itspivotal axis arranged between the cables so that it may swing and thecables may be spread without interference. The lever is supplied with asuitable weight piece Il at its distal end and at its proximal end thereis provided oppositely directed arms I8 at right angles to the length ofthe lever. The arms each have a grooved roller I9 engaged with the sidesof the cables. The arms and their roller termini form an eccentric orcam device for urging the cables outwardly in a flexing movement to drawthe ends attached to the latches inwardly.

In proximity to the arms there is an arrangement of rollers 20 mountedat the outer sides of the cables and engaged therewith to confine thespreading effect of the cam device to the intermediate reaches of thecables. The rollers 2E! have peripheral grooves for seating the cables.

The weighted lever is normally disposed longitudinally of the roof sothat in the event of the vehicle toppling it will be thrown laterally.The

vthrow of the lever turns the eccentric or cam device, as indicated indash lines in Fig. 3, thus causing the rollers IS to spread the runs ofthe cables between the confining sets of rollers 2E) i To assure thatthe bolts will be uniformly withdrawn each cable is furnished with anequalizing device consisting of a rod 2 I extending outwardly therefromand having its inner end rigidly attached thereto. The rod is slidablyguided in a bearing 22. As the cable is `urged outwardly by theeccentric or cam device the rod recedes and causes a positive and equalpull to be exerted en each bolt.

It will be manifest that the invention provides a serviceable and highlyeicient release mechanism for the hatch and one which can bemanufactured at low cost.

What I claim is:

l. An automatic release mechanism for the cover of a roof exit,comprising a pair of latches mounted at opposite side edges of the coverincluding outwardly projected bolts, a flexible cable connecting thebolts and drawn substantially taut element connecting the bolts anddrawn substantially taut thereby, a weighted lever fulcrumed adjacent tothe flexible element, means actuated by the lever for exing a section ofthe flexible element to Withdraw the bolts, and means for effectinguniform Withdrawal of the bolts consisting of a rod united with themedial extent of the flexible element and extending outwardly therefrom,and a bearing member in 10 which the rod is sldably engaged.

ROBERT KERR.

